Disseminating targeted location-based content to mobile device users

ABSTRACT

A trusted third party information arbiter for facilitating third party information sources, such as advertisers or data processing services, to accurately target communications to mobile device users. Illustratively, the mobile device users can control target communications through the utilization of discretion requests/permissions processed by the third party information arbiter. Furthermore, the mobile device users may further interact with the trusted third party information arbiter to provide/release additional personal information. For example, a mobile device user may be provided an increasingly rich rewards or payments that may be provisioned by discount, coupons or offers associated with existing or new product advertisements or promotional information messages.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/974,044, entitled System for Disseminating Targeted Location-BasedContent To Mobile Device Users While Maintaining User Privacy, filedSep. 20, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The advent of location aware (GPS enabled) and internet data enabledmobile phones and electronic communication devices has enabled a varietyof location aware and information provisioning services. The combinationof available technology and an exploding advertising industry that isundergoing a rapid change from traditional print and advertising TVmedia to internet data advertising placement has fuelled the growth ofcompanies. The current advertising and marketing paradigm is shiftingfrom delivering advertisements and other information from computerscreens to that of mobile phones and other mobile devices.

Early services are simply attempting to enable agencies to directlytarget or push unsolicited advertisements, coupons, offers orinformation to mobile phone users. These services are also exploitingGPS and other location aware technologies to reach specific cell phoneand communication device users who may be geographically located in aparticular region of interest. This class of service is notionally knownas a location based advertising service.

The emergence of these services has substantially impacted users'privacy because the advertising agency has often learned much about thesubscribers current and past behaviors in addition to their identities.Loss of digital identity is a very important issue and one that israpidly gaining attention and becoming understood as more cases ofidentity theft and identity abuse are becoming apparent. Mobile phones,internet email accounts, location based services, and a plethora ofinstant messaging systems commonly permit end service agencies theability to extract, record and exploit users' digital identities andprivate information.

SUMMARY

Consequently, a technological solution is needed that arbitrates thedesire of an advertising agency or other third party information sourceto deliver information unsolicited to a specific subset of mobile deviceusers. This subset of mobile device users may be selected based, e.g.,on monitored user behavior, time, location, and/or personal interests,while mitigating, or controlling, the advertiser to access or retrieveuser specific identity information. By the same token, the communicationusers may desire to exploit or trade their personal information for anincreasingly rich reward or payment that may be provisioned by discount,coupons or offers.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a trusted thirdparty information arbiter that safeguards the digital identities ofmobile device users while enabling third party information sources, suchas advertisers or data processing services, to accurately targetcommunications to such mobile device users. Illustratively, the mobiledevice users can control target communications through the utilizationof discretion requests/permissions processed by the third partyinformation arbiter. Furthermore, the mobile device users may furtherinteract with the trusted third party information arbiter toprovide/release additional personal information. For example, a mobiledevice user may be provided an increasingly rich rewards or paymentsthat may be provisioned by discount, coupons or offers associated withexisting or new product advertisements or promotional informationmessages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same become betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrative of one embodiment of acommunication management environment including a communicationmanagement system, an abstraction information processing component, anumber of mobile devices, and a number of third party informationsources;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrative of aspects of an abstractioninformation processing component in an embodiment of the communicationmanagement environment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A-3C are block diagrams of the communication management system ofFIG. 1 illustrating the transmission of mobile device contextinformation by a mobile device and the processing by the communicationmanagement system of communication channel initiation requests submittedby a third party communication device;

FIGS. 4A-4C are block diagrams of the communication management system ofFIG. 1 illustrating the transmission of mobile device contextinformation by a mobile device and the processing by the communicationmanagement system of communication channel initiation requests submittedby the mobile device;

FIGS. 5A-5C are block diagrams of the communication management system ofFIG. 1 illustrating the processing by the abstraction informationprocessing component of queries and demographic actions/requestssubmitted by third party information devices;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrative of a mobile device user datastore utilized by an abstraction information processing component toprocess third party information device communications;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrative of an abstracted informationprocessing routine implemented by an abstraction information processingcomponent to process third party information device communications; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrative of an abstracted informationprocessing sub-routine implemented by an abstraction informationprocessing component for processing additional third party informationdevice communications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A system will now be described that embodies various inventive featuresrelated to the management of communications between mobilecommunications devices and third party information sources. As will berecognized, many of these features can be used independently of others,and represent distinct inventions. Further, many of the features can beimplemented differently than described herein. Thus, nothing in thisdetailed description implies that any particular feature, component,process step, characteristic, of combination of the foregoing isessential.

Generally described, embodiments of the present invention correspond tosystems, methods and interfaces for the management of communicationswith a mobile device. Specifically, aspects of the present inventionrelate to the management of communications provided to mobile deviceusers through the utilization of mobile device profiles, mobile devicecontext information, and/or caller identification information to managecommunications.

In accordance with a first aspect, the mobile devices continuouslycollect, or otherwise obtain, various inputs corresponding to a mobiledevice environment. The mobile device processes some or all of theinputs with a context assessment algorithm to generate mobile devicecontext information. The mobile device transmits the context informationto a communication management system through a variety of communicationmethods/channels. The mobile device can limit the transmission ofcontext information to the communication management system such thatcontext information is transmitted upon determination of a change in aprevious mobile device context. Additionally, the mobile devicecontinues to transmit updated context information or updates to contextinformation throughout various modes of operation, including during anestablished communication.

The communication management system utilizes the mobile device contextinformation to determine communication device availability by processingthe context information with a mobile device profile. The mobile deviceprofiles can specify what communication channels are available forparticular mobile device contexts. Additionally, the mobilecommunication device profiles can be a function of identificationinformation, such as caller ID. Still further, the communication deviceprofiles can specify communication channel mitigation options that caninclude a suggestion of alternative communication channels or othermessages, the presenting of interactive response systems, and/or theinitiation of actions in the event the mobile device is not available tomaintain a requested communication channel or an existing communicationchannel.

For subsequent communication requests initiated by the user of themobile device and/or a third party, the communication management systemprocesses the request according to the prior determined communicationavailability selected as a function of appropriate selectioninformation, such as the caller ID of the third party. Additionally, inthe event of a change of a mobile device context during a previouslyestablished communication channel that changes communicationavailability, the communication management system can implementspecified communication channel mitigation actions, which can includethe modification or termination of the existing communication channel.

In accordance with another aspect, the above described communicationmanagement system is always aware of the remote end user's currentcontext and is always notified of a change of user context as it occurs.Mobile device users can enrich their communications by allowing their atleast an abstracted version of his or her current context to be reportedto third party information devices via an abstraction informationprocessing component. The abstraction information processing componentallows external third party agencies such as advertising agencies, majorcorporations, health and safety/emergency organizations, etc. to reachtarget audiences with specific communication messages but without accessto the remote user's specific digital identity information. Furthermore,the remote end users can preferably be reached if and only if they havea-priori given permission for specific classes of agency to reach them.

Although aspects of the system will be described to the drawings, flowdiagrams, screen interfaces, and specific examples, one skilled in therelevant art will appreciate that the disclosed embodiments areillustrative in nature. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments shouldnot be construed as limiting.

Communication Management Environment

The present disclosure may be implemented in conjunction with a systemthat monitors the real time locations and contexts of mobile deviceusers. Once example of such a system is described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/040,832, filed on Feb. 29, 2008 and entitledMANAGEMENT OF MOBILE DEVICE COMMUNICATIONS SESSIONS TO REDUCE USERDISTRACTION, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Accordingly,although an illustrative communication management environment will bedescribed herein, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciate thatthe operation of a communication management system may includeadditional or alternative components/interaction. Thus, the describedcommunication management system is illustrative in nature and should notbe construed as limiting.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrative of acommunication management environment 100 for managing mobile devicecommunications will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, thecommunication management environment 100 includes a communicationmanagement system 102 for processing requests for establishing acommunication channel between a supported mobile device and a thirdparty communication device. The communication management system 102maintains mobile device profiles that are provisioned to establish theavailability for the mobile device to establish a communication channelas a function of mobile device context information. The communicationdevice profiles may also be provisioned as a function of identificationinformation of an applicable third party. As will also be described ingreater detail below, the communication management system 102 determinesthe availability of the mobile device to establish a communicationchannel asynchronously to any request to establish a communicationchannel.

To manage requested communications or previously establishedcommunication channels, the communication management system 102communicates with corresponding subsystems responsible for establishingthe wireless communication channel, such as mobile switching center 112,and utilizes the predetermined availability information and appropriateidentification information to allow/reject communications. Thecommunication management system 102 can communicate with the mobileswitching center 112 via a direct communication connection, a securecommunication channel via a communication network, such as communicationnetwork 120, or via a public communication network.

Additionally, the communication management system 102 providescommunication channel mitigation options in the event that the mobiledevice is unavailable, which can include interfacing with acommunication mitigation components 106, such as a voice mail system oran interactive voice response system. The communication mitigationcomponent 106 may be directly associated with the communicationmanagement system 102. Alternatively, the communication mitigationcomponent 106 may be provided, or otherwise associated with anotherservice provider, such as mobile service provider. Still further, thecommunication management system 102 facilitates the generation ofvarious graphical user interfaces for provisioning and/or managingmobile device profiles via computing devices.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the communication managementenvironment 100 can include a number of mobile devices 104. The mobiledevices 104 can correspond to wide variety of devices or components thatare capable of initiating, receiving or facilitating communications overa communication network including, but not limited to, personalcomputing devices, hand-held computing devices, integrated componentsfor inclusion in computing devices, home electronics, appliances,vehicles, and/or machinery, mobile telephones, modems, personal digitalassistants, laptop computers, gaming devices, and the like. In anillustrative embodiment, the mobile devices 104 include a wide varietyof software and hardware components for establishing communications overone or more communication networks, including wireless or wired mobilecommunication networks 110. The mobile devices 104 can be associatedwith one or more users for managing communication channel requests andexisting communication channels according mobile device contexts.

The mobile device contexts can identify or describe aspects of themobile device 104, aspects of the mobile device environment, and/oraspects of the user associated with the mobile device. For example, themobile device context corresponds to a determination of various statesof movement/travel, such as in a non-transitory state, an in-transitstate (including city/urban travel transit, highway transit, andin-flight transit states), a journey onset state, and a journeytermination state. In another example, the mobile device contextcorresponds a determination of whether a mobile device's presentlocation is within a geospatial boundary, also referred to asgeofencing, (including within the geospatial boundary, on a border ofthe geospatial boundary, or outside the geospatial boundary). Oneskilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the identified mobiledevice contexts are not exhaustive and that any number of additionalmobile device contexts, or variations of the identified mobile devicecontexts, may also be defined for the mobile device 104.

An illustrative communication management environment 100 can include anumber of additional components, systems and/or subsystems forfacilitating communications with the mobile devices 104 and/or thecommunication management system 102. The additional components caninclude one or more mobile switching centers 112 for establishingcommunications with the mobile devices 104 via the mobile communicationnetwork 110, such as a cellular radio access network, a wireless networkbased on the family of IEEE 802.11 technical standards (“WiFi”), awireless network based on IEEE 802.16 standards (“WiMax), and otherwireless networks. The operation of mobile communication networks, suchas mobile communication network 110 are well known and will not bedescribed in greater detail.

The communication management system 102 is also in communication with anabstraction information processing component 108. In an illustrativeembodiment, the abstraction information processing component 108 obtainsmobile device user information that will be used to provide abstractedmobile device user information to one or more third party informationdevices 122. The mobile device user information can correspond to staticuser information, such as demographic information, as well as dynamicinformation associated with a particular mobile device user context(e.g., current location, current velocity, etc.). The abstractioninformation processing component 108 can also maintain/integrategeographic information associated particular mobile device 104 withknown geographic location (e.g., shops and restaurants nearby a currentuser location). Illustratively, the third party information devices 122can correspond to advertisers, search engines, data processing services,that request user information and provide customized content, such asadvertisements, promotions, coupons, etc. The third party informationdevices 122 can correspond to computing devices, web services, etc. thatcorrespond to such entities. Accordingly, reference to third partyinformation devices 122 relates to either the computing devices orcomputing services and/or entities associated with the computing devicesor computing services depending on the context.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the mobile switch center 112 includesinterfaces for establishing various communications with via thecommunication network 120, such as the Internet, intranets, privatenetworks and point-to-point networks. In one example, the mobile switchcenter 108 can include interfaces for establishing communicationchannels with various communication devices 112, such as landlinetelephones, via a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 114. Themobile switch center 112 can include interfaces for establishingcommunication channels with various communication network-basedcommunication devices 116, such as a VoIP communication device. Stillfurther, the mobile switch center 112 can include interfaces forestablishing communication channels with a mobile-based communicationdevice, such as another mobile device. For example, the communicationdevices can correspond to a third-party mobile communication thatestablishes an audio communication channel with a mobile device 104.Accordingly, although communication network 110 is illustrated as asingle communication network, one skilled in the relevant art willappreciate that the communication network can be made up of any numberof public or private communication networks and/or network connections.

The various communication devices 116 can include the hardware andsoftware components that facilitate the various modes of operation andcommunication, such as via wired and wireless communication networks.Additionally, the computing devices 116 can include various hardware andsoftware components, such as a browser software application, thatfacilitate the generation of the graphical user interfaces forprovisioning and managing mobile device profiles as will be describedbelow.

One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the components andconfigurations provided in FIG. 1 are illustrative in nature.Accordingly, additional or alternative components and/or configurations,especially regarding the additional components, systems and subsystemsfor facilitating communications may be utilized.

With reference now to FIG. 2, illustrative components of the abstractioninformation processing component 108 will be described. Although theoperation of the various functions associated with the abstractioninformation processing component 108 will be described with regard tobelow subcomponents, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciatethat the subcomponents are illustrative in nature. Accordingly, anabstraction information processing component 108 may include additionalcomponents or alternative components to facilitate one or morefunctions. Additionally, although the various subcomponents areillustrated as integrated into an abstraction information processingcomponent 108, one or more of the components may be implemented in adistributed manner over a communication network and/or be implemented asa network service, e.g., a Web service.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the abstraction information processingcomponent 108 includes a communication management system interfacecomponent 202 for establishing communications with a mobile device 104via the communication management system 102. In an illustrativeembodiment, the communication management system interface component 202corresponds to a component for facilitating the bi-lateral transfer ofdata, such as mobile device context information, context assessmentalgorithms, etc., between the mobile device 104 and the abstractioninformation processing component 108. The communication managementsystem interface component 202 can include software and hardwarecomponents necessary to establish one or more communication channelscorresponding to various communication protocols such as Bluetooth, thefamily of IEEE 802.11 technical standards (“WiFi”), the IEEE 802.16standards (“WiMax), short message service (“SMS”), voice over IP(“VoIP”) as well as various generation cellular air interface protocols(including, but not limited to, air interface protocols based on CDMA,TDMA, GSM, WCDMA, CDMA2000, TD-SCDMA, WTDMA, LTE, OFDMA and similartechnologies).

The abstraction information processing component 108 can also include adata processing component 204 for obtaining and processing searchqueries from third party information devices 122. The data processingcomponent 204 can execute various processes or algorithms for processingspecific mobile device context information and generated a set ofabstracted information response to the third party information devices122. Additionally, the data processing component 204 can also managemobile device user information associated with the mobile devices 104and location information maintained in either the user information datastore 208 and/or the location information data store 210. The locationinformation in the location information data store 210 may be GIS mapinformation and can identify relevant structures in a given region(e.g., coffee shop locations, road and highway speed limits, publictransport stations etc) according to traditional map information suchcontours and grid references. One skilled in the relevant art willappreciate that the user information data store 208 and the locationinformation data store 210 may correspond to one or more database,files, etc. Additionally, the user information data store 208 and/or thelocation information data store 210 may be maintained locally to theabstraction information processing component 108 or distributed via thecommunication network 120.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the abstraction informationprocessing component 108 can include a third party interface component206 for communicating with various third party information devices 122.As previously discussed, the third party information devices 122transmit search queries to the abstraction information processingcomponent 108 via the third party interface component 206. Abstractedsearch results generated by the data processing component 204 canreturned to the third party information devices 122 via the third partyinterface component 206. Additional, interactions, such as the exchangebetween the third party information devices 122 and the abstractioninformation processing component 108 can be facilitated by the thirdparty interface component 206.

With reference now to FIGS. 3-4, the interaction between variouscomponents of the communication management environment 100 of FIG. 1will be illustrated. For purposes of the example, however, theillustration has been simplified such that many of the systems,subsystems, and components utilized to facilitate communications are notshown. One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that suchcomponents or subcomponents can be utilized and that additionalinteractions would accordingly occur without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

With reference now to FIGS. 3A-3C, one embodiment related to theprocessing of a request from a third party communication device 116 toestablish a communication channel, such as an audio call, will bedescribed. For purposes of the illustrative example, a particular mobilecomputing device 104 has registered with a communication managementservice that provides the communication management system 102.Additionally, a user of the mobile device 104 has provisioned a mobiledevice profile that identifies the availability of the mobile device asa function of mobile device contexts and third party identificationinformation. Alternatively, some portion the mobile device profile maybe pre-provisioned for the user and/or automatically set by anadministrator, such as a service provider.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, during the operation of the mobile device104, or during an initialization of the mobile device, the mobile device104 obtains a set of inputs corresponding to the mobile deviceenvironment. The set of inputs are processed by the mobile device 104 togenerate mobile device context information. The mobile device 104 thentransmits the mobile device context information to the communicationmanagement system 102 as appropriate. Specifically, to reduce powerconsumption and/or bandwidth consumption, the mobile device 104 maylimit the transmission of mobile device context information for theinitialization of a mobile device context, a detection of a change inmobile device context and/or for the re-establishment of a mobile devicecontext.

Upon receipt of the context information, the communication managementsystem 102 obtains a corresponding, or applicable, mobile deviceprofiles from a profile data store 210. The communication managementsystem 102 may utilize one or more mobile device profiles to determinemobile device availability from the context information. Alternatively,a single mobile device profile may define availability for multiplemobile device contexts. The communication management system 102 thendetermines the availability of the mobile device to establish acommunication channel (either receipt of a request or the initiation ofa request) based on the processing.

Thereafter, in the illustrative example of FIG. 3A, a communicationdevice 116, such as a third party communication device initiates arequest to establish a communication channel with the mobile device 104.The request is received by the mobile switching center 112 and is heldpending an approval or rejection by the communication management system102. The applicable mobile switching center 112 then transmits therequest to the communication management system 102 to request adetermination whether the requested communication channel should beestablished. The request can include additional information utilized bythe communication management system 102 to select an appropriateprofile, including caller identification information and the like.

With reference now to FIG. 3B, upon receipt of the request ornotification from the mobile switching center 112, the communicationmanagement system 102 utilizes the predetermined availability of themobile device 104 to authorize or reject the establishment of therequested communication channel. If the request to initiate thecommunication channel is authorized, the authorization is transmitted tothe mobile switching center 112, which processes the request forinitiation of the communication channel in an appropriate manner.Accordingly, the requested communication channel is completed. Thecommunication management system 102 may continue to monitor theestablished communication channel for a change in mobile device contextand will manage the communication channel as defined in the applicablemobile device profile.

With reference now to FIG. 3C, alternatively, if the request forinitiation of the communication channel is rejected based on apredetermined unavailability of the mobile device 104, the communicationmanagement system 102 transmits a rejection authorization communicationto the mobile switching center 112 to prevent the initiation of thecommunication channel. Additionally, the communication mitigationcomponent 106 can provide appropriate communication mitigation, such asnotifications to the users of the mobile device 104 and thecommunication device 116. Additionally, the communication managementsystem 102 can obtain a selection of a communication channel alternativedefined in the mobile device profile, such as voicemail systems orinteractive voice response systems, as will be described in greaterdetail below.

With reference now to FIGS. 4A-4C, one embodiment processing of arequest from a user at a mobile device 104 to establish a communicationchannel, such as an audio call, with a third party communication device116 will be described. As described above with regard to FIGS. 3A and3B, for the illustrative example, it is assumed that a particular mobiledevice 104 has registered with a communication management service thatprovides the communication management system 102 and provisioned amobile device profile that identifies the availability of the mobiledevice for particular mobile device contexts.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, during the operation of the mobile device104, or during an initialization of the mobile device, the mobile device104 obtains a set of inputs corresponding to the mobile deviceenvironment. The set of inputs are processed by the mobile device 104 togenerate mobile device context information. The mobile device 104 thentransmits the mobile device context information to the communicationmanagement system 102 as appropriate. Specifically, to reduce powerconsumption and/or bandwidth consumption, the mobile device 104 maylimit the transmission of mobile device context information for theinitialization of a mobile device context, a detection of a change inmobile device context and/or for the re-establishment of a mobile devicecontext.

Upon receipt of the context information, the communication managementsystem 102 obtains one or more corresponding, or applicable, mobiledevice profiles from a mobile device profile data store. Thecommunication management system 102 then determines the availability ofthe mobile device to establish a communication channel (either receiptof a request or the initiation of a request) based on the processing.

Thereafter, in the illustrative example of FIG. 4A, the mobile device104 initiates a request to establish a communication channel with acommunication device 116, such as a third party communication device.The request is received by the mobile switching center 112 and is heldpending an approval or rejection by the communication management system102. The applicable mobile switching center 112 then transmits therequest to the communication management system 102, along withadditional information, such as the identification information (e.g.,telephone number) of the third party communication device 116.

With reference now to FIG. 4B, upon receipt of the request ornotification from the mobile switching center 112, the communicationmanagement system 102 obtains applicable communication profiles usingthe identification information or other information and utilizes thepredetermined availability of the mobile device 104 to authorize orreject the establishment of the communication channel. If the request toinitiate the communication channel is authorized, the authorization istransmitted to the mobile switching center 112, which processes therequest for initiation of the communication channel in a typical manner.Accordingly, the requested communication channel is completed. Thecommunication management system 102 may continue to monitor theestablished communication channel for a change in mobile device context.

With reference now to FIG. 4C, alternatively, if the request forinitiation of the communication channel is rejected based on adetermined unavailability of the mobile device 104, the communicationmanagement system 102 transmits a rejection authorization communicationto the mobile switching center 108 to prevent the initiation of thecommunication channel. Additionally, the communication management system102 can provide appropriate notifications to the users of the mobiledevice 104 and the communication device 116. Additionally, thecommunication management system 102 can obtain a selection of acommunication channel alternative via the communication mitigationcomponent 106 (FIG. 1).

Abstracted Information Processing Embodiment

With reference now to FIGS. 5-6, one embodiment related to theprocessing of a request from a third party information device 122 tofacilitate the generation of targeted de demographic communications tomobile devices 104, will be described. For purposes of the illustrativeexample, a set of mobile devices 104 have registered with acommunication management service that provides the communicationmanagement system 102. Additionally, each user associated with themobile device 104 has provisioned a mobile device profile thatidentifies the availability of the mobile device as a function of mobiledevice contexts and third party identification information.Additionally, the user may have provided additional profile information,such as demographic information and profile information. Alternatively,some portion the mobile device profile may be pre-provisioned for theuser and/or automatically set by an administrator, such as a serviceprovider.

With reference to FIG. 5A, assuming that the abstraction informationprocessing component 108 has previously compiled, or been providedaccess to, relevant information in the user information data store 208and/or location information data store 210, the abstraction informationprocessing component 108 obtains a query from one or more third partyinformation devices 122. Illustratively, the queries from the thirdparty information devices 122 can correspond to information to define asubset of mobile device 104 that can be targeted for subsequent,targeted demographic communications. The data processing component 204in turn queries the user information data store 208 and computes aresponse that mitigates the user specific personal information viaabstracted query results. The abstracted query results are provided tothe third party information devices 122 in a manner that will facilitatesubmission of targeted, demographic communications to mobile devices104. The abstracted responses may also be associated with timeexpiration data, such as a time stamp and an expected expiration time.Illustratively, the expiration can be sent in the form of a notificationto the third party information device 122 when 10% and 25% of theoriginal remote user's context has changed. This indicates to the thirdparty information device 122 the rate at which the original enquiriesvalue is diminishing and permits the judgment by when supplementary oradditional enquiries can be made

By way of an exemplary example;

-   -   Enquiry: How many teenagers are within 100 metres of a Starbucks        coffee shop?    -   Abstracted Response: 250 eighteen to fourteen males 369 eighteen        to fourteen females are within 50 metres of a Starbucks coffee        shop. 67% of this population has opted in for coupon and        advertising communications from Starbucks

Turning to FIG. 5B, based on the abstracted query results, the thirdparty information devices 122 submit to the abstraction informationprocessing component 108 targeted demographic actions/requests that willbe directed to specific mobile devices 104 by the abstractioninformation processing component 108 (via the communication managementsystem 102). The third party information device requests will typicallynot be directed to identifiable mobile devices 104, since suchidentification information was not previously provided by theabstraction information processing component 108. The targeteddemographic actions/requests can correspond to advertisements, coupons,discount offers, information requests, surveys, and the like. Thetargeted demographic actions/requests may be in the form ofnotifications to receive communications or broadcast of the actualelectronic communications (e.g., electronic mail messages, short messageservice (SMS) messages, instant message messages, micro-Web logs, andother types of communications. Additionally, the targeted demographicactions/requests may also be in the form of Web pages or other forms ofcustomized content accessible by the mobile devices 104 (directly viathe mobile device or via another computing device).

Upon receipt of the targeted demographic actions/requests, the mobiledevices 104 can examine the targeted actions/request, such as byaccessing a customized Web page. The mobile device 104 can provideindividual responses to the abstraction information processing component108 corresponding to confirmation that the targeted demographicaction/request has been accessed and/or any additionalinstructions/requests. By way of an example, the mobile device 104 mayreceive an actionable SMS and text message that encodes all the humanresponse requirements into a single actionable task upon the mobiledevice. This then launches a web browser that links directly to a hostedWeb page provided by the abstraction information processing component108. This event can be logged and offered as a value added feedback tothe third party information devices 122. As described previously, alluser specific information can be stripped from the interactioninformation such that only summaries of information transactions areissued.

With reference now to FIG. 5C, the abstraction information processingcomponent 108 again processes the information (as described above) andprovides abstracted responses to the abstracted demographic responses tothe third party information devices 122. Thereafter, the abstractioninformation processing component 108, mobile devices 104 and/or thirdparty information devices 122 can interact further. For example, if amobile device wishes to act further upon the availability of an offer,additional user interaction permits the delivery of an SMS or text emailto occur in which the redemption coupon is then delivered to thehandset. The delivered e-vouchers, e-coupons or e-offer validation codesare unique and may consist of single use, multi-use, time limited(minutes to years) or shareable in which other individuals may beinvited to utilize the same product code. Indeed users who share orevangelize a particular product will be eligible for additional rewardsas a function of their sharing activity. The vouchers may consist of asimple alpha numeric sequence or a visual display in which a standardone or two dimensional barcode is utilized. Additionally, the time framebetween the creation of the offer and the response behaviors can beaccurately measured and reported. Thus an exemplary transaction sequencemay be reported to the third party as described below:

-   -   Enquiry: How many teenagers are within 100 meters of a Starbucks        coffee shop?    -   Abstracted Response: 250 eighteen to fourteen males 369 eighteen        to fourteen females are within 50 metres of a Starbucks coffee        shop. 67% of this population has opted in for coupon and        advertising communications from Starbucks    -   Abstract Request Communicate the availability of a coupon codes        for a free coffee to all eligible eighteen to fourteen females        that are within 50 metres of a Starbucks coffee shop    -   Abstracted Response After 2 minutes 20 women had examined the        advert, 0 had exercised        -   After 5 minutes 100 women had examined the advert, 3 had            exercised        -   After 20 minutes 200 women had examined the advert, 30 had            exercised

In an illustrative embodiment, the communication sequence between theabstraction information processing component 108 and the third partyinformation devices 111 may be completely automated, such that no humanintervention is required. For example, a third party information device122 may be programmed to automatically send enquiries or queries, and todetermine, based on the abstracted response, whether to proceed with thebroadcast of an offer to the target group. The third party informationdevice 122 may also be programmed to select an appropriate offer basedon the abstracted response.

With reference now to FIG. 6, an illustrative data table 600 maintainedby the abstraction information processing component 108 in the userinformation data store 208 for processing third party information devicesearch queries will be described. The data table includes a number ofcolumns 602, 604, 6060, 608 and 601 for maintaining attributes aboutspecific mobile devices 104. Specifically, column 602 defines whetherthe information corresponds to static information about a mobile deviceuser that does not change frequently, dynamic information that willlikely frequently change and can become stale, or third partyinformation associated with the user (such as map information). Column604 defines specific types of the above identified classificationinformation, while column 606 defines subtypes for each of the definedtypes. Column 608 defines attributes of the specific instance of thetype/subtype and can also be used for tracking mobile device interactioninformation (e.g., when did the mobile device access the information).Finally, column 610 defines rank information that can be used toprioritize information within each classification or within the entiretable 600. The type of information maintained in each of the columns maybe predefined by the abstraction information processing component 108.Alternatively, the information may not be limited and may correspond toany information provided by the mobile device 104, or otherwise obtainedby the abstraction information processing component 108.

With reference to an illustrative example within FIG. 6, rows 612-620correspond to static information associated with a particular user,namely, “NAME,” “ADDRESS,” “GENDER,” and “INTERESTS.” Rows 618 and 620further define two subtypes of “INTERESTS,” namely, “PHOTOGRAPHY” and“FASHION.” Rows 622-626 correspond to dynamic information, which istypically determined by the mobile device 104 and communicated to thecommunication management system 102. The dynamic information illustratedin FIG. 6 includes “CURRENT LOCATION,” “CURRENT VELOCITY,” and MEETINGSTATUS.” Finally, rows 628-634 correspond to map information obtained bythe abstraction information processing component 108 and associated withthe particular mobile device. The map information corresponds to“LOCATION” information including a “LAT” and “LONG” subtype. The mapinformation also corresponds to geographic information associated withthe location information such as the identification of recognizablelandmarks/areas of interests based on the known location (e.g., “SHOP 1”and “SHOP 2”). In this example, row 632 has a higher priority rankingthan row 634, likely due to the closer proximity to the mobile device104 as captured in the “ATTRIBUTE” column 608.

One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that table 600 mayinclude a number of additional columns and/or rows for capturing mobiledevice data used to process queries from third party information devices122. Moreover, the abstraction information processing component 108 maymaintain multiple tables for different third party information devices122 or for different purposes (e.g., advertisements vs. coupons).Further, the information provided in table 600 is illustrative and isnot limiting as to the type of information that can be stored in table600. Finally, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that anynumber of data structures/methodologies may be used to track mobiledevice information.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a routine 700 implemented by theabstraction information processing component 108 to process searchqueries and generate abstracted information request will be described.At block 702, the abstraction information processing component 108obtains third party information source queries from third partyinformation devices 122. The queries may be in the form specified by theabstraction information processing component 108, such as via anapplication programming interface (API) or via a Web page form accessedvia computing device and communication network. At block 704, theabstraction information processing component 108 processes the queriesaccording to the information in the user information data store 208. Inan illustrative embodiment, the abstraction information processingcomponent 108 may process the queries, such as by parsing the queryand/or translating information, to identify the relevant fields thatwill be queried.

At block 706, the abstraction information processing component 108obtains the query results and abstracts the query results.Illustratively, the abstraction information processing component 108 canmaintain templates of abstracted information and/or conduct keywordsearching to remove any client-specific information. At block 708, theabstracted query results are transmitted to the requested third partyinformation device 122.

At block 710, the abstraction information processing component 108 canobtain targeted demographic communications from one or more third partyinformation devices 122. As previously described, the targeteddemographic communications can correspond to actions or requests thatare targeted to specific mobile devices 104, or classes of mobiledevices 104, based on the previously received abstracted search results.For example, an advertisement may be targeted to specific staticparameters (e.g., age) as well as dynamic parameters (e.g., downtownnear a coffee shop). The targeted communications can corresponds tocontent for inclusion in electronic messages or via customized Webpages, including, but not limited to, advertisements, coupons,discounts, identification information (e.g., phone numbers or URLs). Thetargeted communications may be specified for inclusion in a specifictargeted communication to the mobile device 104 or as part of acollection/compilation transmitted to the mobile device 104.

At block 712, the targeted communications are transmitted by theabstraction information processing component 108 to one or more mobiledevices 104. As previously described, the transmission can correspond tonotifications of pending messages, communication of electronic messagesand/or communication of customized content. The communications caninclude content that can be accessed immediately by the mobile device104 either directly via the communication network or the communicationmanagement system 102 (e.g., a URL). The communication can also includecontent that can be utilized by the mobile device user at a later point,such as a printable bar code or coupon. At block 714, the abstractioninformation processing component 108 processes any additionalcommunications between the mobile devices 104 and the third partyinformation devices 122. A sub-routine for processing the additionalcommunications will be described with regard to FIG. 8. At block 716,the routine 700 terminates.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a sub-routine 800 implemented by the abstractioninformation processing component 108 for processing additionalcommunications between the mobile devices 104 and the third partyinformation devices 122 will be described. At block 802, the abstractioninformation processing component 108 obtains mobile device 104interaction/response information. As previously described, theabstraction information processing component 108 may generate customizedWeb pages in which access and activity within the Web pages can belogged. Additionally, the abstraction information processing component108 may obtain communications from the mobile device 104 in response toaccessing the content. For example, the mobile device 104 may issue aconfirmation message to ensure that the user is accorded credit.

At block 804, the abstraction information processing component 108abstracts the user responses/interactions and transmits the responses tothe corresponding third party information devices 122. As previouslydescribed, the user responses/interactions may be associated with timinginformation to facilitate knowledge of the receipt of the targetedinformation and the relative effectiveness of the communication (e.g.,how long did it take for mobile devices 104 to access theadvertisement).

At decision block 808, the abstraction information processing component108 determines whether additional communication/interaction is requiredor available. If so, the sub-routine 800 returns to block 802 to obtainand process the additional interaction. In an illustrative embodiment,success iterations of sub-routine 800 may yield additional benefit (suchas points, credits or access to new content). Accordingly, a mobiledevice 104 may elect to provide additional information and/or spendadditional time accessing targeted communications in exchange foradditional value. Once no additional interaction is available ordesired, the sub-routine 800 returns at block 810.

In one embodiment, the abstraction information processing component 108may also provide additional services for reconciling credits/chargesbased on mobile device 104 interaction with the targeted communications.For example, the abstraction information processing component 108 maykeep track of all coupons accessed and redeemed such that an appropriatethird party information device 122 may be charged for the value providedto the user. In another example, the abstraction information processingcomponent 108 may interact with a credit service, such as a frequentcustomer service or points based service, that can reconcile mobiledevice activity and offers provided by the third party informationdevices 122.

While illustrative embodiments have been disclosed and discussed, oneskilled in the relevant art will appreciate that additional oralternative embodiments may be implemented within the spirit and scopeof the present invention. Additionally, although many embodiments havebeen indicated as illustrative, one skilled in the relevant art willappreciate that the illustrative embodiments do not need to be combinedor implemented together. As such, some illustrative embodiments do notneed to be utilized or implemented in accordance with scope ofvariations to the present disclosure.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Any process descriptions, elements, or blocks in the flow diagramsdescribed herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should beunderstood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions ofcode which include one or more executable instructions for implementingspecific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternateimplementations are included within the scope of the embodimentsdescribed herein in which elements or functions may be deleted, executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. It willfurther be appreciated that the data and/or components described abovemay be stored on a computer-readable medium and loaded into memory ofthe computing device using a drive mechanism associated with a computerreadable storing the computer executable components such as a CD-ROM,DVD-ROM, or network interface further, the component and/or data can beincluded in a single device or distributed in any manner. Accordingly,general purpose computing devices may be configured to implement theprocesses, algorithms and methodology of the present disclosure with theprocessing and/or execution of the various data and/or componentsdescribed above.

It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may bemade to the above-described embodiments, the elements of which are to beunderstood as being among other acceptable examples. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: maintaining real timelocation data and demographic data of a plurality of mobile deviceusers; receiving a query specified by a business entity, said queryspecifying demographic and real-time location criteria for identifyingmobile device users; responding to the query by using the real timelocation data and demographic data to identify a subset of said mobiledevice users that satisfy the specified demographic and real-timelocation criteria; and providing abstracted information to the businessentity regarding said subset of mobile device users without revealingidentities of said users to the business entity, such that the businessentity can determine substantially in real time whether to provide anoffer to the subset of users.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising, after providing said abstracted information to the businessentity, broadcasting an offer supplied by the business entity to themobile devices of the users such that the broadcast is limited to thesubset of users who satisfy the query.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising tracking responses of the users to said offer substantiallyin real time, and providing feedback data to the business entityregarding said responses.
 4. A computer system configured to perform themethod of any of claims 1-3.
 5. A computer-readable medium having storedthereon a computer program that embodies the method of claim 1.